Russian President Vladimir Putin has turned his attention to its neighbors Finland and Sweden, saying both countries will face ‘military consequences’ if they join NATO.
Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry, said that such a move would have “serious military-political repercussions.”
During a news briefing, she said that “Finland and Sweden should not base their security on damaging the security of other countries and their accession to NATO can have detrimental consequences and face some military and political consequences.”
The foreign ministry later took to Twitter to reiterate the threat, writing: “We regard the Finnish government’s commitment to a military non-alignment policy as an important factor in ensuring security and stability in northern Europe.
“Finland’s accession to @NATO would have serious military and political repercussions.”
U.S. intelligence officials fear that the Ukrainian capitol of Kyiv could fall this weekend, with Russian soldiers entering the city on Saturday morning.
According to reports, Ukrainian leaders want to join NATO. However, Putin is against the move.
Both President Joe Biden and NATO have said that the U.S. would defend the alliance should Russia launch an attack.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had slammed the U.S. and its allies for letting his country fight alone.
On Thursday night, Zelenskyy said: “Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don’t see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid.
“We’re defending our country alone. The most powerful forces in the world are watching this from a distance.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the organization will deploy parts of the NATO Response Force to the eastern flank.
“We are now deploying the NATO Response Force for the first time in a collective defense context. We speak about thousands of troops. We speak about air and maritime capabilities,” Stoltenberg said.
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